Okay list historians,
What on earth is a Triumph Pony?
>From what I can tell it was a car supplied to Israel in CKD form
(Completely
Knocked Down), in the early 1970s. I found it listed as a model in a
Lucas
catalogue for 1971 Triumph cars. From the equipment listing in the
Lucas
book, it would seem this car was a real econo-box as it just has your
very
basic and essential electrical components... even the heater is listed
as an
option.
Kai - it was a forward control commercial vehicle with 4WD and used
the Dolomite 1850 slant four engine. Made only at Triumph's Haifa
plant in Israel, it entirely fulfilled essential Middle East transport
requirements. As many people in the Middle East are known for their
nomadic inclinations, Pony could carry up to three people in the cab
and an obligatory small herd of goats and more people in the truck
body at the back. You always take your goats with you in the Middle
East. It sold well in Israel but as the rest of the Arab world
boycotted Israeli products (then and now) it understandably didn't
find a ready market in other adjoining countries. The choice of name
had its origins in a smaller and similar vehicle made in Austria
called a Steyr Puch Haflinger. A Haflinger is a very nimble footed
small horse. ISTR Pony was made for about four years and was popular
on the kibbutzim - communal farms found throughout Israel. As for the
heater, or lack of - most Pony's were made with the intention of being
used in daytime and as temperatures can get as high as 45deg C - a
heater wasn't really necessary. Needless to say, Japanese pick-ups
have taken over from where Pony left off and these veicles are in the
majority throughout the region and have been for years.
Jonmac
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